Addiction is a complex and multifaceted issue, often laden with stigma and misunderstanding. Society tends to oversimplify addiction, reducing it to poor personal choices or moral failings. It’s a distorted view that prevents individuals from seeking help. Understanding the facts about addiction is crucial to work toward dispelling the stigma surrounding it.
Addiction Isn’t a Choice
Contrary to what some believe; addiction isn’t a choice — it’s a disease. The American Medical Association recognized addiction as a disease more than five decades ago, defining it as a chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.
The Stigma Surrounding Addiction
Stigma is a societal reaction that marginalizes people based on a particular characteristic, like gender, race, or in this case, a health condition. For example, people with substance use disorders are often viewed negatively, blamed for their condition, and subject to discriminatory behavior.
The stigma around addiction can manifest in different ways. It may be public stigma (e.g., the general public endorsing stereotypes about substance use disorders) or structural stigma (e.g., institutional policies restricting opportunities for people with addiction).
Overcoming the Stigma
The first step to overcoming addiction’s stigma is education and awareness. Understanding that addiction is a disease, not a choice, is key to recognizing the harmful impact of stigmatizing attitudes. Other steps include:
Promoting Empathy and Understanding
Promoting empathy and understanding can challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions about addiction. For example, highlighting the experiences of people living with addiction and acknowledging the challenges they face in their recovery journey can help people better understand the disease.
Encouraging Open Conversation
Having open and honest conversations about addiction can also help break down the stigma. Sharing personal stories, raising awareness about the realities of addiction, or advocating for mental health support in workplaces and schools can all contribute to open conversations.
Advocating for Policy Change
Finally, advocating for policy change can help reduce the stigma. Working with policymakers to adopt fair policies that don’t discriminate against people with addiction and promoting access to treatment and support services can have a substantial impact.
The stigma surrounding addiction can be a significant barrier to recovery. However, overcoming that stigma isn’t solely the responsibility of individuals with addiction — it’s a collective effort.
RADIAS Health provides person-centered integrated healthcare services to people experiencing mental illness, substance use, or co-occurring disorders. Compassionate, skilled health care and support staff deliver our behavioral health services. In addition, our care includes supplementary services such as case management, supportive housing, homeless services, residential services, outpatient DBT treatment, and more. If you or someone you know could benefit from our mission, contact us today or consider donating!